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August 24, 2020
Thank you for visiting our website. We hope that this brief update finds you doing well.
As we continue to live through this COVID 19 pandemic together, your Mission Leadership Team (MLT) has been working hard to keep up with the ever-changing guidance regarding in-person worship while trying to keep the health of all our Member Missionaries in mind. During the past months, much time has been devoted by the MLT discussing protocols, logistics, and methodology to be used to resume in-person worship. We have also been focused on not excluding anyone that wishes to attend in these plans, as inclusivity and welcome are part of what make People of Hope such a special place.
This all being said, the current state of the pandemic and the response to it does not make it possible for us to resume in-person worship (with the idea of including everyone) at this time. In as much, at our August 18 MLT meeting, a motion was made, seconded and passed to continue virtual church services until January 1, 2021 at which time in-person worship services would be considered again based on recommendations from the State of Minnesota, the CDC and the commercial availability of a viable COVID 19 vaccine.
Please know that this decision was reached after much prayer and deliberation. Everyone who was gathered at the table longs for the day when we can sing, pray, study scripture, and share in Communion together. We just want to make sure that all of God's people will be welcomed and that it will be as safe as possible.
Plans are currently being made to hold virtual Learning Time (LT) time for students (K-8), Adult Learning Time, and Confirmation classes. Please check out this week's eNews for more information about these programs and how to register. We are also beginning to explore what Confirmation, All Saints Day, Advent Mid-Week, and Christmas Eve services might look like and will share those plans as soon as possible.
In the meantime, you can expect that ministry will still be happening at People of Hope. We are going to start to include more folks in our Sunday livestreams (while keeping safe). We will continue to feed the hungry through the Food Pantry and Gardens. We are looking at offering other small groups to explore issues such as racial injustice and immigration. We are ramping up a strategic planning process that will include all Member Missionaries. And, finally, we are exploring ways in which we can share fellowship with one another.
The past few months have been difficult, and we are facing more difficult times ahead. But we do not face these difficulties alone. We, as People of Hope, will continue to be there for one another for encouragement, support, and love. And we are blessed to have a God who promises not to leave our side when things become difficult. We continue to hold you in our prayers, and we thank you for the prayers that you extend for us.
May God continue to bless you!
Your Mission Leadership Team
Meet our Pastor
Rev. Dan Doering has served as the Pastor of People of Hope since 2010. He is a graduate of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and has a passion for connecting faith with everyday life.
Contact Us
3703 Country Club Road Southwest
Rochester, MN 55902
507-280-9766
